Australia Tightens Student Visa Scrutiny for Bangladesh, India and Two Other South Asian Nations

Australia has tightened its student visa assessment process for applicants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan, citing growing concerns over document fraud and declining transparency, officials said.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has downgraded the four South Asian countries from “Evidence Level 2” to “Evidence Level 3” under its Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), placing them in the highest risk category for visa processing. The change took effect on January 8.
Under the revised classification, prospective students and their sponsoring educational institutions will be required to submit more extensive documentation, including detailed proof of financial capacity and verified academic credentials. Authorities said the move aims to curb fraudulent applications while continuing to facilitate access for genuine students.
According to Australian media outlet news.com.au, nearly one-third of all international students enrolled in Australia last year came from these four countries.
The SSVF assigns “evidence levels” to countries and institutions based on factors including visa refusal rates, visa cancellations, overstaying incidents, and the number of asylum applications lodged after arrival. A higher evidence level indicates greater perceived risk and triggers stricter scrutiny.
A spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs confirmed that evidence levels for several South Asian countries were revised due to what the department described as a “deterioration in document integrity.”
“The changes will help address emerging challenges related to fraudulent documentation, while ensuring that genuine students continue to receive support in accessing high-quality education in Australia,” the spokesperson said.
According to a report by Washington-based consultancy VisaHQ, applicants from the affected countries will now need to submit at least three months of bank statements, detailed proof of the source of funds, and authenticated academic certificates. The process will also involve increased spot checks through educational institutions and expanded biometric verification, including cooperation with Interpol.
Australian officials said the decision followed a spike in fraudulent documentation detected during the peak visa application period in November and December 2025. Authorities cited a recent police operation in India that led to the seizure of around 1,200 fake undergraduate certificates as a key factor influencing the policy shift.
The move comes shortly after Australia’s Assistant Minister for Education, Julian Hill, discussed international education and visa integrity with Indian home affairs officials during a visit to India last month.